Harris-Lewis line given green light
The line should bolster energy security on the Isle of Lewis.
Image for illustration purposes.
UK, Scotland: SSEN Transmission has been granted consent by The Scottish Government for a new overhead transmission line from Harris to Stornoway. The 60 km, 132 kV line is expected to begin construction in the summer and be complete by 2026 and will run from the Harris Grid Supply Point to Stornoway Grid Supply Point, replacing the existing line which has been in place since 1990 and is part of the Western Isles circuit running from Fort Augustus to Stornoway.
The upgrade replaces the current single pole trident design with an ‘H’ pole trident line strung with an All Aluminium Alloy Conductor and aims to offer greater resilience and reduce the potential for power outages. The current line is aging, prone to storm damage and high winds, and requires ongoing work and monitoring. The poles on the circuit have a history of storm damage going back to 2006.
SSEN Transmission has appointed two contractors, Norpower Limited and Keltbray Energy Limited, to help deliver the project. Communication with landowners, tenants and local communities along the route is set to take place in the coming months.
Andrew Ewing, Project Manager for SSEN Transmission, commented: “We are pleased to have been granted consent by Scottish Government and look forward to working with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discharge planning conditions for this replacement overhead line project, which will bolster energy security on Lewis while providing economic opportunities for local contractors and suppliers.”
Source: SSEN Transmission